I was satisfied as a programmer, but sometime you have to manage some project, I want to be ready when I got a chance.
So, what should I do/learn ? Is there any roadmap/checklist for a programmer ?
Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
1–10 of 66 posts
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#2Decide if you really mean Project manager, Product manager or Programme manager.
I don't see why there would be a specific list for programmers... but try and see if you can take on greater control of the tasks in your current job to build experience.
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#3Seriously, just use SmartSheets.com
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#4Please take a look at the IEEE's Software Engineering body of knowledge. It will give you an outline of the topic as well as pointers to what reference material you can consult.
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#5Decide if you really mean Project manager, Product manager or Programme manager. I don't see why there would be a specific list for programmers... but try and see if you can take on greater control of the tasks in your current job to build experience.
Also, ensure it's one of the above and not an Engineering Manager. The expectations are quite different for each roles. I have been burnt by my mistakes when I tried to do everything whilst being a Technical Lead of a project. It burnt me out, but taught a valuable lesson.
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#6I think it would be a great exercise to shadow your Project Manager(if you have one) for a while. If you don't have one, maybe just try to virtually manage the project you're working on. You'll find that the PM job is not really what you expected to be.
I'm a sysadmin and I've tried to simulate this kind of change and I found that there are a lot of bureaucracy tasks which I don't really like :). If you ask me, the proper career path has the "team lead" position as the first step, which brings you closer to a "* manager" feeling.
Good luck!!
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#7It's tricky. As with any career (or just job-title) change you can try to manipulate your current / next role into including the key responsibilities of the new job title you're after -- in this case a PM -- and then try to leverage that work experience into a formal PM role.
You may need to entertain taking a backwards or sideways step into a precursor role - local vernacular doubtless varies, but maybe explore Project Officer or Project Admin job titles. Or, of course, both.
You could start reading up on PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum, etc -- obtaining accreditation on these tends to be expensive and a little tedious if you're not actively using the methodologies (in my experience).
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#8I'm in a similar position at the moment. Basically what you want to do is ask for more responsibility from your PM, specifically to do work they'd normally do. Over time, that work will become part of your responsibilities. As you gain more confidence from doing those tasks, and as your team begins to recognize you moving away from programming and taking on more leadership, you'll put yourself in a good position to manage a sub-team on a small project. If you can pull that off, you can build on that for a bigger project/promotion to PM/SDM.
For example, we work in an Agile environment, so I've started running some of the 'Agile ceremonies', such as story refinement, estimation etc. From there my plan is to try and fully manage a sub team for a smaller project, as mentioned above. On top of this, I've arranged to go on a Project Management course in a few months. Doing all this should put me in a good position for a PM/SDM role.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#9Depends on whether you really like to "manage" the "expectations" of stake holders https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_stakeholder
Re: Ask HN: How can I become a proper Project Manager from a Programmer?
#10You will have to pick up some general management skills and for that I can not recommend enough The Mobile MBA by Jo Owen. Thin book, no BS, no fillers, practical and useful advices from a successful manager. That book should have been named MBA 101 for programmers.